Ibasso 1 bit Discrete portable DAC with Resistors Array D16

[Daniel59]

Guys, I'm currently using ibasso320max+d16. Maybe there's a one-box device that sounds the same quality (source+dac in one box, because I have separate amp anyway)? Maybe Hiby rs8?

Why are you still using the D16 when you can go 320Max to EA4? You’re under-utilizing your 320Max (only using it as a digital streamer) in your chain. Are you preferring the DAC in your D16 to your 320Max’s DAC? If this is the case, then you should get the DX340…the DAC’s in the D16 and 340 are very similar, with the 340 having an updated FPGA section from the original D16’s design. There a small handful of 340/EA4 owners on the DX340 thread that have expressed how much they are liking the synergy of that chain.

 

[danielgregori]

Why are you still using the D16 when you can go 320Max to EA4? You’re under-utilizing your 320Max (only using it as a digital streamer) in your chain. Are you preferring the DAC in your D16 to your 320Max’s DAC? If this is the case, then you should get the DX340…the DAC’s in the D16 and 340 are very similar, with the 340 having an updated FPGA section from the original D16’s design. There a small handful of 340/EA4 owners on the DX340 thread that have expressed how much they are liking the synergy of that chain.

I'm selling my EA4, I didn't like it at all, unfortunately(( So for now I'm stuck with 320+d16+pb5

 

[Daniel59]

I'm selling my EA4, I didn't like it at all, unfortunately(( So for now I'm stuck with 320+d16+pb5

Wow! Clearly you must have received a faulty EA4. The EA4 portable amp is so magical! It’s fidelity surpassing many desktop amps (and all portable amps I’ve listened). I’d sell all my portable gear before I had to sell my EA4. I’m still using my D16 because I like its DAC. My PB5 is a distant 2nd compared to my EA4.

 

[BJPromo]

Wow! Clearly you must have received a faulty EA4. The EA4 portable amp is so magical! It’s fidelity surpassing many desktop amps (and all portable amps I’ve listened). I’d sell all my portable gear before I had to sell my EA4. I’m still using my D16 because I like its DAC. My PB5 is a distant 2nd compared to my EA4.

One Dan's magic is another Dan's curse!

 

[m3lover1]

Wow! Clearly you must have received a faulty EA4. The EA4 portable amp is so magical! It’s fidelity surpassing many desktop amps (and all portable amps I’ve listened). I’d sell all my portable gear before I had to sell my EA4. I’m still using my D16 because I like its DAC. My PB5 is a distant 2nd compared to my EA4.

I kept my D16 as well, but sold my PB5 once I got my EA4 in hand and listened to it. The options, the sound, magical!

 

[danielgregori]

Wow! Clearly you must have received a faulty EA4. The EA4 portable amp is so magical! It’s fidelity surpassing many desktop amps (and all portable amps I’ve listened). I’d sell all my portable gear before I had to sell my EA4. I’m still using my D16 because I like its DAC. My PB5 is a distant 2nd compared to my EA4.

The EA4 is definitely a very accurate amp, and very spacious, but its setup is incredibly boring for me. Technically it is better than PB5, but to my ears it is very uninvolving(

Perhaps it should be warmed up longer. I'll try to listen more

 

[Daniel59]

Perhaps it should be warmed up longer. I'll try to listen more…

“And also after approximately how many hours does the sound of the amplifier stop changing? When I first bought it, I found it very bland and uninvolving. But after 10 hours I hear that the sound has become enormously different. How long does this process take?”

I saw what you posted this morning on the EA4 Thread. Maybe you’re having a change of heart with the EA4 after further burn in? You never told us previously that you had under 10 hrs listening (burn in) on the EA4 to conclude the sound wasn’t to your liking. Aside from the debate about whether burn-in makes a difference, tube amps do need adequate burn time to finally settle on their true fidelity. It can vary from 50 on up to 150+ hrs. I never noticed my D16 or EA4 sounding “bland or uninvolved” when I first listened to them, however owners of the iBasso tube Amp cards (14/16) for their DAPs have reported better fidelity after initial burn in period.

 

[danielgregori]

I saw what you posted this morning on the EA4 Thread. Maybe you’re having a change of heart with the EA4 after further burn in? You never told us previously that you had under 10 hrs listening (burn in) on the EA4 to conclude the sound wasn’t to your liking. Aside from the debate about whether burn-in makes a difference, tube amps do need adequate burn time to finally settle on their true fidelity. It can vary from 50 on up to 150+ hrs. I never noticed my D16 or EA4 sounding “bland or uninvolved” when I first listened to them, however owners of the iBasso tube Amp cards (14/16) for their DAPs have reported better fidelity after initial burn in period.

Yes, I decided not to rush to conclusions. I listened to it for about 100 hours, the sound has objectively begun to change a lot in recent days! In the end, the pb5 was also very muddy for the first few weeks) What confused me was that my dealer said that the ea4 did not change in sound after warming up. But he turned out to be wrong as I see...

 

[Daniel59]

Yes, I decided not to rush to conclusions. I listened to it for about 100 hours, the sound has objectively begun to change a lot in recent days! In the end, the pb5 was also very muddy for the first few weeks) What confused me was that my dealer said that the ea4 did not change in sound after warming up. But he turned out to be wrong as I see...

Good to hear you’re starting to notice a change (for the better). If you’re still using the D16 (4.4 mm) as a DAC to your EA4, make sure the D16 is in Line Out mode with DAC Gain either High or Low (your preference), but also ensure volume is maxed at 100 (for max LO voltage). The EA4 can easily handle a 4Vrms LO voltage. Just make sure you’re able to get past 10 volume on the EA4 for best fidelity. Good luck!

 

[danielgregori]

Good to hear you’re starting to notice a change (for the better). If you’re still using the D16 (4.4 mm) as a DAC to your EA4, make sure the D16 is in Line Out mode with DAC Gain either High or Low (your preference), but also ensure volume is maxed at 100 (for max LO voltage). The EA4 can easily handle a 4Vrms LO voltage. Just make sure you’re able to get past 10 volume on the EA4 for best fidelity. Good luck!

Yes, I use d16 + ea4 as my portable setup. I will try, thank you!!

 

[Layman1]

Hi all, wonder if anyone can help.
Regarding the D16, has anyone noticed a static noise with the larger amp volume wheel when turning each notch up or down?
Is this normal and ok?

 

[gylyf]

Hi all, wonder if anyone can help.
Regarding the D16, has anyone noticed a static noise with the larger amp volume wheel when turning each notch up or down?
Is this normal and ok?

Totally normal - that’s the nature of the stepped attenuator.

 

[Layman1]

Totally normal - that’s the nature of the stepped attenuator.

many thanks